Portsmouth frustrated after very bright start

The visitors were well set at 135 for three with Inderpal Nandra (54 no out) still going strong.

Captain Rich Locke felt that but for the weather his team stood a very good chance of chalking up another win.

‘We were in the ascendancy and looking the stronger team,’ he said.

‘They way we are going we looked on to post a decent total after making a good start.

‘It was frustrating for us that the weather closed in.’

Openers Locke (14) and Jack Marston (50) gave Portsmouth a solid start, putting on 41 runs for the first wicket.

After Locke was clean bowled, Marston went on to complete his half century before he too was bowled.

Australian Fraser Hay followed him to the pavilion immediately afterwards when he was given out lbw without scoring.

Nandra, however, looked like carrying on from his heroics against Rowledge when he produced a fabulous match-winning innings.

The University of Portsmouth student is in terrific form so far.

‘Indy batted beautifully again displaying his great ability to find the gaps in the field,’ said Locke.

‘His wristy shots through the leg side were a delight to watch.

‘Unfortunately, we only have him for a couple more weeks until the university term finishes.

‘Then he goes back to play for his home club Moseley in the Birmingham League.

‘Until then though we intend to make the most of him with his batting and bowling.’

Meanwhile, Hay, a hard-hitting batsman, from the Melville Grade club in Perth, has failed to score in his past two Portsmouth games.

He plays regularly in Melville’s First Grade side in the WACA pennant and helped the club win the under-21 pennant in their season just finished.

Hay, who is also a handy right-arm seam bowler comes from the same Melville stable as Australia Test batsman Adam Voges, Drew Porter, Brad Thompson and Luke Towers, who all played Southern League cricket in the past.

But he was given out lbw when he felt he clearly hit the ball.

‘We all get those decisions sometimes and I have told him to put it out of his mind and go again,’ said Locke.

‘It was desperately unlucky, particularly after he had done well for Hampshire seconds in midweek.

‘He hit 28 off nine deliveries for the county side against a young MCC side at the Ageas Bowl Nursery Ground.’

Sarisbury Athletic’s home clash with Old Tauntonians and Romsey was abandoned without any play.